Business Briefs

NEWS 

FINDING THEIR CENTER: In a South Beach neighborhood just north of Fifth Street between Euclid and Meridian Avenue, the newly opened Miami Life Center is “the first full service yoga & holistic learning space on South Beach.” The Center will not just teach stretching and breathing but will also focus on “transformation and personal growth techniques,” according to their press release. Founder of the Center, Miami native Kino MacGregor, who has been featured in Yoga Journal and Yoga International, will work alongside instructors who have devoted years of study with their 91-year-old Indian Master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Miami Life Center is located at 736 Sixth St., Miami Beach.

ACCOUNT THEM IN: Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP (MBAF), the largest public accounting firm in Florida, was listed as one of the nation’s top 25 performing independent CPA firms by the trade publication Inside Public Accounting in its recent “Best of the Best” issue. The Coral Gables-based firm has been listed as a “Best of the Best” for five years in a row and 11 years total. Only five of the 25 firms have made the list for the past five consecutive years. “It is an honor to be named once again amongst such an esteemed list of talented professionals in our industry,” said Tony Argiz, managing partner of Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra.

TRUSTWORHTY INDIVIDUALS: Fiduciary Trust International of the South, a subsidiary of New York-based Fiduciary Trust International, announced that it has appointed Thornton Hoelle as senior vice president for business development, and Michael Cabanas as vice president for business development. Hoelle has spent 26 years with SunTrust Bank, where he recently served as senior vice president in the private client services division. He also spent several years as executive vice president in the domestic lending and community banking divisions. Cabanas brings to his new position more than six years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Fiduciary Trust, he was a banker at JPMorgan Private Bank in Miami, where he managed the relationships of high net worth individuals.

HURRICANE HELPERS: Hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30, but a $612,500 grant from the state of Florida’s Department of Financial Services, which administers the My Safe Florida Home hurricane mitigation program, was recently awarded to the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation (MBCDC). The funds are to be used to help low-income Miami-Dade County homeowners strengthen their residences and protect them from hurricanes in the coming years. Homeowners who earn no more than 80 percent of the Annual Median Income (AMI) — in Miami-Dade, 80 percent of the AMI for a family of four is $44,700 —who own site-built, single-family homes with insurance coverage under $500,000 and who have a homestead exemption are eligible. MBCDC seeks to serve 100 homeowners, who will receive free home inspections and assistance to make recommended improvements. Roberto Datorre, president of MBCDC, said. “Through a joint effort with the Florida Department of Financial Services, the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida Hurricane Relief Fund and the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation, we will see over 100 homes improved to better handle the severe weather characteristic of Southern Florida.” To apply for the program in Miami-Dade, call 305-538-0900.

MOVERS-N-SHAKERS

Thielen Goes to Washington: Dance/USA has hired Tom Thielen, longtime executive director of the Florida Dance Association (FDA), as its director of finance and operations. Thielen started as a part-timer at FDA in 1985 and worked his way up the ranks to executive director in 1998. “We are excited to welcome our friend and colleague, Tom Thielen, to the Dance/USA team. Tom’s managerial skills, knowledge of the field and historic involvement with Dance/USA as a council chair and board member will bring a comprehensive perspective to his work with us,” stated Andrea Snyder, the executive director of Washington, D.C.-based Dance/USA.

“I am honored and very excited to be joining Dance/USA,” Thielen stated. “I have tremendous respect for the organization and the highest regard for Andrea Snyder and all the Dance/USA staff. I look forward to being part of such a strong, motivated team of professionals.”

Thielen takes his post officially on Dec. 15. FDA is in search of a new executive director.

NEW VICE: President and CEO of Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, Michael Hardy, this month announced the appointment of Richard G. Miller to vice president of development. Miller, who served as associate director of the Performing Arts Center Foundation since 2002, will manage the Center’s fund-raising programs, including the endowment drive, membership program and all other fund-raising activities, as well as supervise the Center’s development staff. Miller has been involved in fund development for nonprofit organizations, including many arts and educational institutions since 1966.

UM STAYS SAFE: David Rivero, a 26-year veteran of the City of Miami Police Department, has been selected as the University of Miami’s new director of public safety. “Major Rivero’s leadership skills make him an outstanding choice for the University of Miami,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala. As director of public safety, Major Rivero will plan, direct, supervise and coordinate the law enforcement activities, prevention of crime, and protection of life and property at the University of Miami. Rivero will also oversee a staff of 24 officers, including uniformed supervisors patrol, a team of security officials, and a crime prevention officer, among others.

FAIR MARKETER: Sandra Camacho will be the new marketing manager for the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, Inc. announced CEO Phil Clark. Camacho’s responsibilities will include expanding the current sponsorship program and coordinating the Hispanic marketing efforts on behalf of the Fair. Camacho previously worked as marketing and development manager for Hispanic Unity of Florida, where she was responsible for developing new sponsorships and marketing materials and coordinating a variety of fundraising events. Prior to that she served as promotions producer for Univision Television Network, where she developed new ideas for promotional spots and coordinated the participation of news talent in specific community events.

GOT AN INVENTION?: Miami-based intellectual property law firm Malloy & Malloy, P.A. announced that Benjamin M. Hanrahan has joined the firm as an associate. His focus will be on patent and trademark prosecution, as well as litigation.

 “We are extremely pleased that we could add Ben to our growing intellectual property practice,” said Jennie S. Malloy, senior partner of Malloy & Malloy, P.A. “His background in engineering and his work with the State Attorney’s Office will make him a significant addition to our team and will further augment our ability to serve our diverse client base and their range of specialized business needs.”